Good Old War with Joshua Radin

Nov. 9 • 20th Century Theatre

For some time now, Indie Rock players within a
broad genre range have explored the acoustic Folk side project to
somehow prove their diversity, depth and authenticity. Good Old War
doesn’t really fit that construct; guitarist/vocalist Keith Goodwin
and drummer/vocalist Tim Arnold decided against revisiting their
Prog/Pop direction when their previous group Days Away collapsed.
Instead, the duo crafted a contemporary Folk/Pop sound and with the
addition of Unlikely Cowboy guitarist/vocalist Dan Schwartz, the trio
Good Old War was born. (The band’s name comes from the players’
surnames; it’s a word puzzle, so figure it out).

GOW’s 2008 debut, Only Way to Be Alone,
enjoyed more than a little acclaim, but the band’s eponymous
sophomore album, released this past summer, might not only be the
better of the two but could find plenty of support in the coming
weeks as critics compile their end-of-year lists.

The second Good Old War album begins with “GOOD,” a lilting little
instrumental that sounds like an Americana version of Juluka, and
starts a sequence that punctuates the album (“OLD” follows a few
tracks later and “WAR” closes the set).

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Unlike so many bands who
wear their Folk/Americana detours like momentary fashion, Good Old
War are more interested in finding the places where their old roots
intersect with their new direction, and that’s where the band’s
sound becomes compelling and fun. And while it’s not necessarily a
completely original concept, Good Old War does an amazing job of
creating a fresh take on the idea with brilliantly crisp musicianship
and heavenly vocal harmonies.

Mining nuggets from Pop/Rock’s richest veins — everything from The
Beatles (“While I’m Away”) to Paul Simon (“That’s Some
Dream”) to Roger McGuinn (“My Own Sinking Ship”) — and then
using that raw ore to produce a gorgeous and unique new mineral, Good
Old War has managed the rare feat of sounding classic and
contemporary, simultaneously.

(Buy tickets, check out performance times and get venue details here.)